Legacy of Power

Chapter 3

The sun had just risen over the horizon of the ocean, catching each wave and white-top in its embrace like a cold mother to her wayward son. The icy wind blew in off the waters, hitting the cliff and rushing up to kiss the edge of Krodon's fortress. An open window on the top floor began to bang in the rush of air, prompting the warlord to get up from his comfortable seat and close it. He swirled the drink in his hand, staring down into the golden liquid, a lump of ice rolling in the bottom. His chest felt tight and his stomach hard as he thought of the night's events. Someone had been taken from him. Someone that could cost him his future. The future he had dreamed of since he was young and living in his father's shadow.

Taking a sip of the alcoholic drink, he savored the burn as it went down. He crossed back to the fireplace, suddenly slamming the glass down on the mantel, spilling the drink over his hand. The glass cracked, but didn't shatter. He clenched his hand around the glass and threw it with all his strength at the far wall. It shattered into tiny pieces, spilling the remaining liquid on the floor.Panting slightly, trying to loosen the tightness in his chest, he gripped the wood of the mantel hard.

The door to the sitting room opened quietly and his lieutenant, Traslek stepped inside. He must have heard the smash, for his gaze immediately found the bits of broken glass on the floor. He tracked back to meet Krodon's eyes.

"Tell me you found her." Krodon said, trying to contain himself again.

Traslek cleared his throat. "I could. But I would be lying. I'm sorry, the search party haven't caught up with them yet. The search continues."

Krodon squeezed his fists tightly and turned back to the fire crackling in the hearth.

"I know what she means to you." Traslek said quietly.

Krodon slowed his breathing, staring into the flames. "She means more than you know. She is the answer to the sickness that pervades Selendria. My father means to subjugate the land, by pillaging and raping it even further. That ridiculous war is the cause of all of this. Our ancestors were greedy." He straightened, running his hand through his long dark hair. "What they didn't realize, and neither do you was that the elves were an important part of nature here. I don't believe Selendria was always like this. This incessant cold. From my readings translated by the explorer Tidhelm, I believe this land was once warm and vibrant with life."He turned back to Traslek, who had his hands at ease behind his back, standing comfortably.

Traslek's eyebrows narrowed. "Really? You think the snow wasn't here with the elves?"

His tone softened. "Traslek, my friend. You've known me a long time. You know I care about this land. More than my father ever did."

Traslek nodded. "I do, my Lord."

He pointed off into the distance. "That girl, she is the promise of spring again. She will heal this land, mark my word. Through her, we will fix what has been done wrong."

"And what of the recruitment, my Lord?"

"That will continue. The people need my leadership. They are mindless sheep who need corralling. When I am in control, their lives will be better than they ever imagined. They probably can't imagine anything right now, they are so mired in the mud. I will bring Selendria into a new age. And to do that I need men. Men who are completely loyal to me, willing to do whatever it takes to achieve our goals."

He was calmer now. His heart had slowed to a normal beat and his chest had loosened. Talking of his dream always brought calm for him.

"What about your father, my Lord?" Traslek asked.

He briefly clenched his fists, loosening them slowly. "What of him?" He spat out.

Traslek shifted his feet slightly. "Well, he won't like to hear of what you're starting here. He might see it as a threat to his power."

Krodon crossed to Traslek and looked his friend straight in the eyes, searching for defiance. If there was even a hint...

"Let me deal with my father. I won't let him get in my way." Seeing no sign of Traslek looking to defy him, he stepped back. He reassured himself that he knew his friend, loyal since childhood. It wasn't him he needed to worry about.

"Send out more search parties. Get them to spread out, all the way to Ifellean. Those two will be along there somewhere. But just in case, send some men to Omel Ortheiad as well. It's a mud hole of a town, but I've heard stories that the Red Hunter was born there. Maybe he'll run back to friends."

"Of course, my Lord." Traslek grinned. "But I don't think you need to worry about that. The Red Hunter doesn't have friends."